About
Crisis What Crisis? is a podcast and platform created to deliver free but invaluable lessons for when life unravels. Hosted by Andy Coulson, former newspaper editor, Downing Street Communications Director, and sought-after strategic adviser. The podcast features more than 100 honest, powerful conversations with crisis survivors and experts. Our guests have all faced extraordinary adversity – some as leaders in business, entertainment, media and politics. The lessons they share are real, practical, and often lifesaving for anyone currently navigating a crisis, or for those who want to be better prepared for life’s inevitable challenges.
At its core, Crisis What Crisis? is on a mission to help one million people become more resilient. We believe everyone deserves access to trusted, judgment-free advice in their darkest moments. Through the podcast and across platforms like YouTube (with already over 100,000 subscribers), Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and social media, we're well on our way to meeting that goal of having one million people regularly accessing our content. But we won’t stop there.
After spending time in prison in 2014, Andy saw firsthand how little meaningful, positive content is made available to people inside the justice system. So, he partnered with the Ministry of Justice to bring Crisis What Crisis? to UK inmates via the Launchpad platform. The result? Our episodes have now reached more than 15,000 prisoners.
Whether you're dealing with burnout, rebuilding after loss, facing trauma, or simply looking to build your resilience, this platform offers honest, useful guidance from those who've been through it – and come out stronger. Crisis isn’t linear. Emotions like shock, bitterness, anxiety, resilience, and gratitude aren’t steps on a ladder – they’re dials on a dashboard. This website is built around those dials, helping you tune in, take stock, and draw strength from the experience of others.
Crisis What Crisis? – Real. Honest. Useful.
Andy Coulson
© Matt McArdle
Andy is the former Editor of the News of the World and as David Cameron’s Communications Director he was a lead strategist in the 2010 General Election. In Downing Street he built and ran the coalition communications team and was a personal adviser to the prime minister.
As someone who has created, managed and survived crisis, Andy is fascinated by everything it involves. He started this podcast to give a voice to – and share the lessons from – those who’ve endured real challenge in their lives.
“There are plenty of podcasts out there that tell the stories of the successful,” he says “But there are far fewer that look hard into the world of the unravelled. That’s where the real value is in my view.”
Andy is a frequent commentator across TV, radio, and national media. As Founder of Coulson Partners, he is now a trusted adviser to global CEOs, entrepreneurs and philanthropists. If you're facing a business or reputational crisis, get in touch here for support.
A Trusted Podcast
Recorded at Global’s world-class LBC studios in Westminster, our episodes are crafted to the highest broadcast standards. As part of the Global Player network, we regularly feature on their "must listen" lists – alongside the UK’s most respected podcasts. We currently sit within the top 1% of podcasts worldwide.
Supporting Crisis-Focused Charities
We always strive to shine a light on causes that matter to our guests – especially charities helping people through crisis. These include: Bowel Cancer UK, Child Bereavement UK, Cornwall Air Ambulance, Help for Heroes, ICR Everyman Appeal, Just For Kids Law, OCD-UK, The ADHD Foundation, Tickets for Troops, Women in Prison, Working Chance.
We are proud to be supported by Myndstream – https://myndstream.com/